지금 vs. 이제

 지금 vs. 이제: Similarities and Differences in Detail

1. Similarities

Both 지금 and 이제 translate to "now" in English and refer to the present moment. They are often used to indicate actions or states occurring at or around the current time.

Examples of Overlap:

• 지금/이제 먹을까요? (Shall we eat now?)

• 지금/이제 가야 해요. (I have to go now.)

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2. Differences

A. Time Focus

1. 지금:

   • Refers to the exact present moment (right now).

   • Focuses on immediate timing without implying change.

   • Examples:

     • 지금 몇 시예요? (What time is it now?)

     • 지금 공부하고 있어요. (I’m studying right now.)

2. 이제:

   • Indicates a transition from the past to the present or near future.

   • Often implies "from now on" or "starting now."

   • Examples:

     • 이제 이해했어요. (I understand now [after not understanding before].)

     • 이제 시작해요. (Let’s start now [after preparation].)

B. Grammatical Nuances

• 지금:

  • Used with present or past tense to describe actions at the current moment.

  • Often paired with -고 있다 (progressive tense).

  • Example:

    • 지금 비가 오고 있어요. (It’s raining now.)

• 이제:

  • Commonly used with future tense or to mark a new state.

  • Implies a shift or contrast from the past.

  • Example:

    • 이제 더 이상 기다릴 수 없어요. (I can’t wait any longer.)

C. Contextual Usage

• 지금:

  • Neutral and factual.

  • Answers questions like "When?" (e.g., 지금).

  • Example:

    • 지금 어디에 있어요? (Where are you now?)

• 이제:

  • Emphasizes a new phase or decision.

  • Often used in reflective or conclusive statements.

  • Example:

    • 이제 그만 할게요. (I’ll stop now [after trying].)

D. Fixed Expressions

• 지금:

  • 지금 바로 (right now), 지금까지 (until now).

  • Example:

    • 지금 바로 시작하세요! (Start right now!)

• 이제:

  • 이제부터 (from now on), 이제야 (finally now).

  • Example:

    • 이제부터 열심히 할 거예요. (I’ll work hard from now on.)

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3. When They Are Not Interchangeable

• 지금 is used for specific, immediate actions:

  • 지금 당장! (Right now!) (O) / 이제 당장! (△ Unnatural).

• 이제 is used for contrasting past and present:

  • 이제 더 이상 어리지 않아요. (I’m not a child anymore.) (O)

  • 지금 더 이상 어리지 않아요. (△ Incorrect nuance).

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Summary Table

Criteria	지금	이제
Time Focus	Exact present moment	Transition from past to present
Implication	Neutral, immediate	Change, new phase
Tense	Present/past (ongoing actions)	Future/new state
Fixed Phrases	지금 바로, 지금까지	이제부터, 이제야
Example	"지금 먹어요." (I’m eating now.)	"이제 먹어요." (Let’s eat now.)

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Key Takeaway

• Use 지금 for actions happening at this exact moment.

• Use 이제 to emphasize a shift in situation or starting a new action.

Examples:

• 지금 일어났어요. (I just woke up now.)

• 이제 일어날 거예요. (I’ll get up now [after lying down].)

Understanding these nuances helps convey precise timing and context in Korean!